Botox & Dysport Injectables

What is Botox and How does the Treatment Work?

Products such as Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, Xeomin and Jeuveau are different FDA-approved formulations of botulinum toxin, which is a neuromuscular agent that works by temporarily blocking the muscles that contribute to facial aging. At Revitalize SkinMD, tiny amounts of these products are injected under the skin using very small needles in precise areas of the face by a highly experienced physician-injector. The injections are very well tolerated with minimal to no discomfort for the vast majority of our clients. The treatment takes about 15 minutes to perform and can easily be accomplished during a lunch break with return to work afterwards. Post-treatment care instructions are provided to our clients afterwards.  The treatment does not involve any surgery and there is no significant downtime. In about 1-2 weeks, the treated muscles start to relax and the corresponding facial lines and wrinkles soften substantially, if not disappear completely. The resulting skin transformation is quite amazing in the majority of patients which is why the use of Botox products is so popular and becoming more and more sought after by millions of men and women. 

Which Areas are Commonly Treated with Botox?

The most popular areas treated with Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, Xeomin and Jeuveau are the lines between the eyebrows (also known as the 11’s or glabellar lines), horizontal forehead lines, and crows feet along the outer corners of the eyes. At Revitalize SkinMD, our physician-injector is also highly experienced in using Botox to contour, enhance and improve the cosmetic appearance of other common facial issues including:

• Nasal Bunny Lines  - reduce nasal lines that form when laughing or smiling
• Gummy Smiles - decrease the amount of gumline that shows when smiling
• Nasal Flaring – decrease excessive nostril flare when laughing or smiling
• Lip Flip - allow for a fuller, poutier and plumper appearing lip
• Smoker’s Lines or Lip Lines – reduce vertical lines above the lip
• Marionette Lines – reduce “sad” or “frown” lines at the corners of the lips
• Chin Dimpling - smoothen an irregular or “cobblestone” chin
• Eyebrow Lift - decrease hooding and lift up the eyebrows
• Eyebrow Shaping – improve the arch of the eyebrows 
• Masseter Injections - contour and slim the jawline

Will I Look Different, Unnatural or “Frozen”?

The goal of cosmetic injectables is to restore a more youthful and refreshed appearance to your face without looking odd, peculiar, abnormal or “done”. The mantra here is “less is more” when it comes to cosmetic treatments like Botox injections. In the hands of our experienced physician-injector, the final results look quite natural and, even though many will notice your fresh and smoother appearance, the results are subtle enough that few will likely know that you’ve had Botox done without telling them.

How Long Do the Results Last?

Initially, Botox products may start to wear off in about 3 months for many people, at which point retreatment is needed to maintain a refreshed look. However, with regular treatments, results often last longer with many clients going 4-6 months before needing retreatment. However, factors like how much Botox is used for treatment, overall health of the client receiving treatment, individual metabolism and immune system, and inherent strength of the individual muscles injected can affect duration of action and cause the cosmetic effects to wear off sooner.

Are There Any Side Effects?

For the vast majority of people, therapeutic application of botulinum toxin is quite safe when used properly by an experienced physician. It has a long track record of safety and efficacy dating back several decades. However, no medical treatment is risk free. During the treatment, the injections can occasionally result in mild bleeding or bruising. As a result, we recommend that our clients do not take aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), blood-thinning medications, fish oil, or any herbal supplements within 5 days of injection unless your medical physician states otherwise. Also, no alcoholic beverages should be consumed within a few days of injection. Post-treatment care instructions are provided after the procedure and are very important to follow to minimize potential adverse effects. Ice can be applied afterwards and/or fresh pineapple to help with any swelling or bruising, respectively. On occasion, Botox products can result in transient, mild headaches, facial tightness and heaviness, usually after the very first treatment. These typically resolve within a few days up to 2 weeks. For the majority of patients, these do not recur with subsequent treatments as the body adapts to muscle relaxation. However, individual results can vary. Other side effects are possible, but infrequent and our physician will review these with you during the informed consent process prior to any treatment so that you can ask questions and make sure that the treatment is right for you.

Who Are Not Candidates for Treatment?

It is not recommended that Botox products be injected in patients who are pregnant or nursing. Patients with neurologic disease, prior hypersensitivity or severe adverse reaction to botulinum toxin in the past are not advised to receive Botox injectable products. Injections should not be performed if there is active infection involving the treatment area. Certain medications can interact with Botox and result in a contraindication to treatment. Our physician will review your medical history, allergies, medications and other pertinent information with you prior to treatment in addition to assessing your face to make sure that you are an appropriate candidate for treatment.